Boccia at Bancroft’s

Saturday 23 May saw the inaugural Epping Forest Phab Club (EFPC) Boccia Open tournament at Bancroft's School and what a thrilling tournament it was, surpassing all expectations.  Joining Epping Forest were three other Phab clubs - Unity 70, Chelmsford and Reading - with each fielding two teams of three players each.

The teams were separated into two leagues of four teams with each team playing every other team in their league.  The top two teams in each league played a semi-final before the final to determine the tournament winner.  Each match was refereed by experienced Boccia coaches and officials.

The league games were played in a competitive but friendly manner with experienced players sitting alongside match debutantes.  After two tense semi finals, the final was watched by everyone packed around the pitch.  The quality of play was excellent from both teams but eventually the Cougars (from Chelmsford) beat the Happy Wanderers (Unity 70) 6 to 3.  All participants received a certificate with the winning team players getting a winner’s certificate and medal as well has having their team name engraved on the tournament shield.  Finally, the referees chose the Player of the Tournament, based not just on performance but on their overall team contribution and conduct throughout the day.  There were several deserving candidates but the stainless steel plate went to Elliot Knight (Chelmsford Chargers) whose sportsmanship was outstanding.

The day was a great success and it was agreed that instead of an annual event, EFPC would try to host two tournaments a year!  A big thank you to the referees Ray Harris (EFPC), Olivia Worsfold (Epping Forest District Council), Simon Brown-Lamont (Chelmsford) and Steve Reed (Chelmsford), the volunteers who were so essential to the smooth running of the event and the staff at Bancroft’s for supporting the event, especially Dave Bish and his team for marking out the courts with military precision.

Tony Warn
Chairman Epping Forest Phab Club